Universal molding-box.



PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

J. L. GLEASON. UNIVERSAL MOLDING BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906. J. L. GLEASON. UNIVERSAL MOLDING BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHIBET 2.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. GLEASON, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

UNIVERSAL MOLDING-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application filed lebruary 25,1905. Serial No. 247,366.

To albwlwm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN L. GLEAsoN, of Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Molding-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a fireproof and practically indestructible box for inclosing the adjacent ends of the moldings, wires, and the junctions between the wires of converging circuits in a system of electric wiring in which the circuits are contained in exposed moldings mounted upon the walls, ceilings, &c., of rooms and buildin s.

Io this end my invention consists of a box which is of metal, so as to be fireproof and constructed with inclined sides, by reason of which a blow accidentally received upon one of the sides willbe deflected, and

- this in connection with the material of which and also with various provisions by which circuits and attachments of different kinds may be connected with the wires extending through the sides of the box, as will more fully appear from the detailed description and claims and the drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whicha Figure 1 represents a plan-view of a junction-box embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a section on hne 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the box. Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 represent plan views of different forms of cover adapted to be connected to the top of the box and extend over an opening formed therein. Figs. 7 and 8 represent, respectively, a plan and an elevation of a device for attachment to the box in place of the covers shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 9 representsa section of a portion of a wall of a building and the junction-box embodying my invention, showing the manner of connecting the various circuits in the box. Fig. 10 represents a perspective view of a removable plug adapted to be inserted in an orifice formed in the bottom of the box to close the same. Fig. 11 represents a erspective view of the exterior of the box, s owing portions of four circuits extending thereinto.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The box a, embodying my invention is formed with a top 1, a bottom 2, and side walls 3 4. The top is referably of less area than the bottom and is coated symmetrically with respect to the bottom, the side walls being therefore formed with a slope and inclined to both the top and bottom. When the box is in place upon the surface of a wall, the base 2,which is thebottom or rear, is placed against the wall, while the smaller base 1, which constitutes the top or front face, is held away from the wall and the sloping sides 3 4, joining the front and rear, converge outwardly away from the wall or other sup orting-surface. I In the form shown in the d i'awings the parts 1 and 2 are rectangular, so the box is made in the form of the frustum of a pyramid, of which 1 and 2 are the bases; but I do not confine myself to this shape, as the bases may be as well circular as rectangular and of equal, as well as different, dimensions and areas.

In the side walls 3 4 are formed 0 enings 5 6, respectively, which are of such shape and size as to permit the insertion of theend of wire-holding moldings 7, the openings being formed partially in the bottom 2. When the molding-box is in use, it is mounted upon a wall or ceiling with its bottom 2 placed against the surface of the wall and the molding 7 also mounted in the same manner. Thus the outer surfaces of the bottom 2 and the moldings are flush and the ends of the moldings abut against the edges 8 of the bottom, which form abutments preventing the moldings being inserted to too great an extent into the box, and are sli htly recessed to permit insertion of the moldings to a slight extent.

In the to 1 of the box is formed an opening 9, whic is preferably rectangular, and adjacent two or more of the sides of the opening depressions 1O 11 are formed in the top, in the'central portion of which depressions are tapped holes 12. The top is preferably webbed or reinforced to give the necessary thickness for the formation of the deressions and give strength. The top is also ormed with holes 13 for the reception of screws or bolts adapted to secure a switch or receptacle of a certain kind to the box.

Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show members which are adapted to be secured to the top of the box and extend over the opening 9, each having lugs 14, adapted to be placed in the depressions 1O 11 and to be secured by screws face switch and shown in elevation in Fig. 4.

,. sette may be attached to this cover.

Instead of the switch a surface receptacle of generally similar form, a wall-socket, or a ro- Such switches, &c., are provided with openings to receive the terminal wires 18 19 of electric circuits and also with holes through which screws or bolts may be extended to secure them in position; but in the various types and sizes of such switches and wall-sockets on the market the location of these holes vary to such an extent that in order to enable switches of this character of all sizes to be secured to the cover 16 I form in the latter curved slots 20 21 and straightslots 22 23, ofwhich the slots 20 21 are concentric and the slots 22 23 radial with respect to a common center. I have found that with the arrangement of slots above described I am able to mount any surface switch upon the cover or lid 16, as the holding-screws may be extended through two of the slots, while the terminal wires are assed through the other two. There is also ormed in the cover 16, preferably centrally thereof, an aperture 24, into which is adapted to be inserted the stem or stud of an electric fixture, such as a lamp bracket or support.

The openings 13 (shown in Fig. 1) are adapted to receive the holding-screws of a switch of the type known as a flush switch, one of which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, or of a flush receptacle. Such a switch or receptacle has a body portion 25, of porcelain or other insulating material, in which the terminal wires of the circuit are secured and which is ordinarily set into a recess in a wall or junction-box and there secured, while a flush plate 26 is placed upon the outside of the wall. When my im roved molding-box is used, the portion 25 is inserted in the opening 9 and secured by lugs which are formed thereon to the to edge by means of screws taking into the oles 12, after which the cover-plate 26 is placed upon the switch and secured by the key 271.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a cover or lid 27, which has no perforations or fittings other than the lugs 14, by which it is secured to the top of the box. This cover is adapted to be used when the box is to be employed simply as a junction-box for a connection between two circuits or an automatic cut-out where an external fixture is not required, the box vFvhen supplied with this plate being shown in Figs. 7 and 8 show a bridge member, truss, or crowfoot havin the lugs 14 for attachment to the top of t e box and a cross-bar 28,

adapted to extend across the opening 9 and having a socket 29, to which may be secured any electric fixture, such as a bracket or pendent light-fixture, rosette, &c.

Fig. 9 shows the manner in which my novel molding-box is ordinarily used, as well as the provisions which I have for connectmg through this box an exposed system of wiring invention is secured to the surface of the wa l over the opening of the outlet-box by any suitable connection, that here shown consisting of'a device known as a hicky, having an internally-threaded collar 35, an externally-threaded sleeve 36, and connectingbars 37. The collar 35 is secured to a stud 38, connected to the wall of the outlet-box, while sleeve 36 is extended through an opening 39 in the bottom of the molding-box and secured b a lock-nut 40, which clamps the bottom 0 the molding-box against the wall and the outlet box. The wires 33 lead through a central opening in sleeve 36 into the molding-box, within which they may be connected to the wires 41 42 of an outside wiring system, and they may be also connected to wires leading through the opening 24 in the cover of the box and a stem 43 of a fixture 44, which may carry a light or any other device for which electrical power is to be used. There is alsoprovided an annular insulator 45, threaded on the exposed end of the sleeve 36 to prevent the wires 33 from coming in contact with said sleeve, and the stem 43 may also be furnished with such an insulator, whereby all danger of electrifying the junction-box or bracket is eliminated.

It will be noted that the box when used as illustrated in Fig. 9 has apphed to it the cover 16, into the central orifice 24 of which the stem 43 of a fixture 44 projects. A. lock-nut 46 holds the stem in place and clamps the canopy 47 of the fixture against the outside of the cover, this canopy also serving to cover the slots in the cover.

By its capability of being used in the manner just described my improved junction-box serves a useful purpose, as it furnishes a very convenient means by which the positions of lights or other electrical fixtures of a building having a concealed system of wiring may be shifted without tearing up the walls. It is frequently desirable to shift a light or to add lights, and in order to do this where my junction-box is employed all that is necessary is ITO to remove the fixture from the wall or ceiling where it may be held and attach in place of it the junction-box in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. Then from the j unction-box circuits may be led to any desired points and lights there connected as well as upon the junctionbox itself, if desired. The box also serves a useful function by its rovision for permited plug 48 of the same diameter as the holewhich is tapped to fit the threads of the plug, the plug eing substantially of the same thickness as the bottom of the box and having a slot 49 extending partially through it, with which a screwdriver ma be engaged for turning it. If desired, the ottom of the box may be provided with other holes through which screws or bolts may be passed to attach the box to a wall, and these holes also will be provided with short screws or threaded plugs for closing them when the are not re uired, and so makin the box tig t.

t will be seen that y my construction I have provided a box in which 'unctions may be made between wires of all kinds of circuits and to which fixtures of all kinds, as flush and surface switches, receptacles, lighting-brackets, pendants, rosettes, &c., may be secured.

Hitherto junctions between exposed circuits have been made in chambers ollowed out from thin blocks of wood, to which also the switches and other fixtures were attached. None of the blocks used have been of sufficient depth to enableflush switches or receptacles to be attached to them, and accordingly the use of such switches'has been confined wholly to connection with concealed wiring. The former method in which wooden blocks are used is objectionable on account of the fragility of the blocks, since when they are cored out to give sufficient room for the junctions very little stren th is left in them, so that it is a wa s diflicul t and often impossible to attach t em to a wall without splitting, and the brackets, light-fixtures, &c. which may be mounted upon them are always very insecure. Then, again, with changes 1n the amount of moisture in the air they are continually swelling and shrinking, which causes them to warp and split. Not only are these'wooden junction members inconvenient to use, but they are'often actually dangerous, since in many places Where they are used it is impossible to provide room to accommodate a properly made and insulated junction, on account of which the wires are often left exposed and set fire to the blocks. All of these objections are avoided with my junctionbox, since as the box is of metal, which is stronger than wood, more room may be left in its interior for accommodating the junctions and switches without at the same time making the box so large as to be unsightly. This increased room permits proper insulation of the junctions, and so insures against'danger of contact of a live wire with the box, while the non-combustible material absolutely eliminates danger of fire. The strength of the material also allows the junction-box to be much more securely attached and to support more securely a fixture than is possible with a wooden junctionbox and is alsoless liable to fracture from the effect of an accidental blow. The lastresult is aided also by the shape ofthe box, which, as before stated, is preferably that of the frustum of a pyramid or cone.

In furnishing these boxes for the market the shell will preferably be made continuous, with provisions for making any number of openin s 5 6 in its sides for the reception of the mo dings, such as by leaving offset webs of less thickness than the shell of the box at the points where the openings are to be, which can easily be broken out whenever it is necessary to effect an opening for a circuit. This manner of providing for any desired number of openings being well known and forming no part of my present invention needs no illustration." The boxes in being sold'are also each rovided with a full set of covers 16 and 27, bridge members 28, and plugs or screws for closing the various holes and orifices in the bottom.

I claim 1. A molding-box comprising integral metallic bases and sides adapted to be secured externally upon the surface of a wall with one tallic topor front, bottom and side walls, the

top or front being1 of less area than the bot tom or rear and t e sides being inclined with relation thereto, converging from bottom to top or front, the box havin in its sides openings for the reception of ends of moldings and wires of an exposed wiring system and having also openings in-its bottom and to a lug detac ably secured in theopening of the ottom, and a detachable cover secured to i the top of the box extending over the opening therein.

3. A molding-box having a metallic integral top, bottom and side walls formed with lateral openings for receiving the ends of wires of an exposed electric wiring system and the top having an opening, and a cover or lid detachably secured to the box andextending over said opening, said cover being formed with a central orifice and slots con- 16 centrically and radially arranged with respect to said orifice.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. GLEASON. l/Vitnesses:

A. C. RATIGAN, E. T. GRAHAM. 

